Clippers embarrassed by loss to Magic

LOS ANGELES – Blake Griffin sat at the podium following Saturday's 104-101 loss to Orlando at Staples Center, and he didn't crack a smile.

There weren't any jokes between teammates. No one wore ugly sweaters. Griffin didn't crack open a Red Bull for the cameras as he does after most wins – none of that.

Instead, there was silence and words covered with disappointment.

"It doesn't sit well at all," Griffin said. "It was a bad loss."

His words weren't meant as a dig to Orlando, which started the day riding a 10-game losing streak. The Magic fought back from an early 13-point deficit and hung around long enough to take their first lead of the game with less than a minute left.

No, they were a reflection of the standard the Clippers have set for themselves through the first 37 games of the season.

So when Coach Vinny Del Negro called the game "an embarrassing performance," he was right – by the Clippers' new standards.

"We got what we deserved," he said.

The Clippers opened the game with energy and intensity, grabbing a 13-point lead midway through the first quarter. Orlando tied the game early in the second, and the Clippers' starters again ran the lead out to double figures. The team led by 10 again in the third and by as many as eight in the fourth, but the Clippers could never really get a substantial cushion despite having chances.

"The sign of a great team is one who keeps pouring it on and don't let teams back into it," Paul said.

And by that, and most measures, the Clippers weren't great Saturday afternoon.

But Orlando's backcourt of Arron Afflalo and J.J. Redick made big shots – including Redick's step-back three over Matt Barnes to give the Magic its first lead with less than a minute to go.

The Clippers had a chance to retake the lead with 15 seconds left, but Jamal Crawford couldn't convert on the break and was called for a charge. And after an easy basket for Orlando, Crawford's contested three that would've tied the game right before the buzzer sounded rimmed out.

"We've been doing a better job, even when we don't have our best stuff, figuring out ways to win games," Del Negro said. "Today, we weren't able to do that."